The Office is back on NBC!

[mundane]

We just finished watching it with my sister-in-law. Although she laughed at times, not having the background context of some of the plot arcs left something to be desired, I expect.

 

[Eeezee]

WOW, I really liked episode. That was hilarious, but I could see it being mediocre if you haven't seen the rest of the series. At this point 90% of the funny moments are extending the inside jokes, which is great if you know what they are but not so great if you don't.

 

[Eeezee]

Originally posted by: chuckywang
That episode was pure pure ownage. It has been awhile since a TV episode has been so awesome.

QFT

 

[bunnyfubbles]

As much as I love the office, and as much as I enjoyed this episode, I've been getting the feeling that it would probably be best if they tried to tie up and end the show relatively soonish (one or maybe two more seasons after this one) instead of trying to drag it out...that is unless they can find a new spin to freshen things up a bit.

 

[moshquerade]

Originally posted by: bunnyfubbles
As much as I love the office, and as much as I enjoyed this episode, I've been getting the feeling that it would probably be best if they tried to tie up and end the show relatively soonish (one or maybe two more seasons after this one) instead of trying to drag it out...that is unless they can find a new spin to freshen things up a bit.

are you nuts?

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: coldmeat

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: seemingly random

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: seemingly random

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
It's a little.... uncomfortable...

It's a lot uncomfortable to me - never understood why this is so popular.

The style of humor appeals to some people, doesn't appeal to others. One of the "uncofortable" moments was when Jan made the comment about not being able to get ahold of Michael, then Angela commented about Pam withholding faxes while she was sitting right next to her. I laughed out loud at the look on Pam's face and her reaction in the bathroom afterward.

Not saying there are no funny moments but, for me, the general awkwardness overrides any good times. I watched tonight until the scene with the couple arriving for dinner and the forced conversation by the manager.

Anybody here remember "Mary Hartman" - she should have just ended it...

I take it you don't watch the show often (since you don't seem to know their names)? It's certainly a different type of comedy than what you find on other shows. Knowing the characters' personalities would help I'm sure.

Exactly. You have to know the characters to really get the humor in the show. I tried watching a few random episodes on tv a while back and never got into it. I never found it funny. I had to watch the show from the beginning and now I love it.

I agree. It was uncomfortable because that has been Michael's and Jan's relationship from the beginning. It's a trainwreck. The thing is, it's a compeltely believable situation, too.

 

[E equals MC2]

The BEST part was when Jan put the music on for the first time and she starts to jam out all by herself while everyone was looking at her.

She continues to jam out, then holds Jim's hand for a dance and super awkwardness ensues as Jan CONTINUES to hold on to Jim's hand while she's dancing.

 

[spittledip]

Originally posted by: moshquerade

Originally posted by: bunnyfubbles
As much as I love the office, and as much as I enjoyed this episode, I've been getting the feeling that it would probably be best if they tried to tie up and end the show relatively soonish (one or maybe two more seasons after this one) instead of trying to drag it out...that is unless they can find a new spin to freshen things up a bit.

are you nuts?

No, he is right (or she, I don't know what a bunnyfubbles is). The show's writing has declined into silliness much like Seinfeld did in the last few seasons. Lack of good ideas is killing the show. Better to end on a good note than to go on until the show is a worthless piece of crap (see The Simpsons).

 

[spittledip]

Originally posted by: Farang
I'm a huge fan of The Office but found this episode kind of lame. It was the same joke over and over--Jan and Michael fighting and everyone else staring awkwardly. I also didn't like how none of it actually took place in the office, except for the beginning minute (which may have been the best part).

Exactly my feelings.

 

[paulxcook]

Originally posted by: spittledip

Originally posted by: moshquerade

Originally posted by: bunnyfubbles
As much as I love the office, and as much as I enjoyed this episode, I've been getting the feeling that it would probably be best if they tried to tie up and end the show relatively soonish (one or maybe two more seasons after this one) instead of trying to drag it out...that is unless they can find a new spin to freshen things up a bit.

are you nuts?

No, he is right (or she, I don't know what a bunnyfubbles is). The show's writing has declined into silliness much like Seinfeld did in the last few seasons. Lack of good ideas is killing the show. Better to end on a good note than to go on until the show is a worthless piece of crap (see The Simpsons).

This is crazy talk. If you don't like the show don't watch, millions of others will continue to enjoy it. It's only in what, its 4th season? The end isn't even in sight, nor should it be.

 

[Al Neri]

The show is brilliant. The reason for its brilliance in my opinion is that it's "believable" (within reason). Jan's character started as a great 1 dimensional character. She developed into - what i don't think the writers even know.

I hope that this last episode was the prelude to writing her off the show.

One of the many factors that separates brilliant story telling from good story telling is knowing when to keep a character one dimensional and when to develop them. It seems like they hit a logjam trying to develop jan.

An analogy, IMO, to this is the decision to develop the Boba/Jango Fett story line in star wars. I liked the Fetts when we just saw them as badass. just my opinion.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: Don Rodriguez
The show is brilliant. The reason for its brilliance in my opinion is that it's "believable" (within reason). Jan's character started as a great 1 dimensional character. She developed into - what i don't think the writers even know.

I hope that this last episode was the prelude to writing her off the show.

One of the many factors that separates brilliant story telling from good story telling is knowing when to keep a character one dimensional and when to develop them. It seems like they hit a logjam trying to develop jan.

An analogy, IMO, to this is the decision to develop the Boba/Jango Fett story line in star wars. I liked the Fetts when we just saw them as badass. just my opinion.

At the same time I thought that her trying to fix the Dundie was an interesting move for the character.

 

[Homerboy]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
It's a little.... uncomfortable...

A little? The show has always done a good job at making the viewer uncomfortable feeling for the characters, much like was the hallmark of CYE which I thought was the best in the biz until this Office episode.

Holy shit I was squirming in my seat (and laughing my ass off).

 

[E equals MC2]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: Don Rodriguez
The show is brilliant. The reason for its brilliance in my opinion is that it's "believable" (within reason). Jan's character started as a great 1 dimensional character. She developed into - what i don't think the writers even know.

I hope that this last episode was the prelude to writing her off the show.

One of the many factors that separates brilliant story telling from good story telling is knowing when to keep a character one dimensional and when to develop them. It seems like they hit a logjam trying to develop jan.

An analogy, IMO, to this is the decision to develop the Boba/Jango Fett story line in star wars. I liked the Fetts when we just saw them as badass. just my opinion.

At the same time I thought that her trying to fix the Dundie was an interesting move for the character.

That's what I love about The Office. The characters always have a soft spot where you sort of feel for them:

*Jan trying to glue back the Dundie because after all the psychoness, she loves him
*Jim actually caring for Dwight when he was severely depressed from getting dumped by Angela.
*Michael showing up to Pam's art show... it really touched Pam's heart. I love Michael because he's just a childish yet a sincere character.

and much more that I'm missing.

 

[Homerboy]

At the same time I thought that her trying to fix the Dundie was an interesting move for the character.

Agreed... it shows that maybe... just MAYBE she is turning a corner. I think they will have her come around full circle. They either have to write her off, or have her come around and love/respect Michael as I don't think the audience will stand for her beating down on their beloved Michael Scott for much longer.

$200 plasma TV? St. Paulie Girl signage? The continuing insinuations that Michael and Pam were a "thing" in the past?...Brilliance.

 

[E equals MC2]

Originally posted by: Homerboy

At the same time I thought that her trying to fix the Dundie was an interesting move for the character.

Agreed... it shows that maybe... just MAYBE she is turning a corner. I think they will have her come around full circle. They either have to write her off, or have her come around and love/respect Michael as I don't think the audience will stand for her beating down on their beloved Michael Scott for much longer.

$200 plasma TV? St. Paulie Girl signage? The continuing insinuations that Michael and Pam were a "thing" in the past?...Brilliance.

I disagree. She's not turning a corner. That's just the way she is. She loves him deep underneath but she's still crazy on the surface. Her fixing the Dundie shows her normal and soft side when she's not crazy. It's not a progression.

 

[Homerboy]

*Michael showing up to Pam's art show... it really touched Pam's heart. I love Michael because he's just a childish yet a sincere character.

and much more that I'm missing.

Agreed on that for sure. The writers do such a tremendous job of making you dislike Michael for his "stupidness" but then make you realize, that EVERYTHING he does... no matter how stupid looking to insane, he honestly and truthfully thinks its the best thing to do and that its the right thing to do. Sometimes, he gets it right (in the case of Pam's artshow, or him landing the big account with Time Meadows character at Chilis... the list goes on and on). He is the character you TRULY hate to love.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: Homerboy

At the same time I thought that her trying to fix the Dundie was an interesting move for the character.

Agreed... it shows that maybe... just MAYBE she is turning a corner. I think they will have her come around full circle. They either have to write her off, or have her come around and love/respect Michael as I don't think the audience will stand for her beating down on their beloved Michael Scott for much longer.

$200 plasma TV? St. Paulie Girl signage? The continuing insinuations that Michael and Pam were a "thing" in the past?...Brilliance.

And if more people are going to be over and you need room, just push it back! :laugh:

 

[Homerboy]

I disagree. She's not turning a corner. That's just the way she is. She loves him deep underneath but she's still crazy on the surface. Her fixing the Dundie shows her normal and soft side when she's not crazy. It's not a progression.

oh sure I agree with you then you shoot me down

I'm saying that they need to make her turn the corner or get rid of her. People love Michael Scott (see my previous post) but they will not enjoy him being berated and belittled by her for much longer. Do you not get pissed at Jan for the way she treats Michael (though laugh your ass off at it while its happening)?

Michael is even starting to take a step forward with him hanging the St. Paulies girl neon sign. I think that story line is either going to change dramatically or end.

 

[Homerboy]

And if more people are going to be over and you need room, just push it back! :laugh:

LOL yes! Sometimes I can just stand here for hours and hours and watch it.

 

[E equals MC2]

Originally posted by: Homerboy

I disagree. She's not turning a corner. That's just the way she is. She loves him deep underneath but she's still crazy on the surface. Her fixing the Dundie shows her normal and soft side when she's not crazy. It's not a progression.

oh sure I agree with you then you shoot me down

I'm saying that they need to make her turn the corner or get rid of her. People love Michael Scott (see my previous post) but they will not enjoy him being berated and belittled by her for much longer. Do you not get pissed at Jan for the way she treats Michael (though laugh your ass off at it while its happening)?

Michael is even starting to take a step forward with him hanging the St. Paulies girl neon sign. I think that story line is either going to change dramatically or end.

I still love you for being an avid The Office fan alone.

 

[E equals MC2]

Originally posted by: Homerboy

And if more people are going to be over and you need room, just push it back! :laugh:

LOL yes! Sometimes I can just stand here for hours and hours and watch it.

hahahah that comment wasn't that funny when I was watching it. But reading it here, it just made me LOL

 

[Homerboy]

Originally posted by: E equals MC2

Originally posted by: Homerboy

And if more people are going to be over and you need room, just push it back! :laugh:

LOL yes! Sometimes I can just stand here for hours and hours and watch it.

hahahah that comment wasn't that funny when I was watching it. But reading it here, it just made me LOL

Oh God it was brilliant then too. Coupled with the table he made?

 

[E equals MC2]

Originally posted by: Homerboy

Originally posted by: E equals MC2

Originally posted by: Homerboy

And if more people are going to be over and you need room, just push it back! :laugh:

LOL yes! Sometimes I can just stand here for hours and hours and watch it.

hahahah that comment wasn't that funny when I was watching it. But reading it here, it just made me LOL

Oh God it was brilliant then too. Coupled with the table he made?

You know who I don't really care for? Jim. He's just a smug lil bastard.

You feel for Michael (no need to explain), Pam (she's adorable, wants to get into art but Roy didn't care for her), Dwight (so sad when he got dumped by Angela) and more... even Angela.

But Jim.

He's just a smug lil kid. I find it hard for me to actually like him. I don't dislike him. He's just there.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: E equals MC2

Originally posted by: Homerboy

Originally posted by: E equals MC2

Originally posted by: Homerboy

And if more people are going to be over and you need room, just push it back! :laugh:

LOL yes! Sometimes I can just stand here for hours and hours and watch it.

hahahah that comment wasn't that funny when I was watching it. But reading it here, it just made me LOL

Oh God it was brilliant then too. Coupled with the table he made?

You know who I don't really care for? Jim. He's just a smug lil bastard.

You feel for Michael (no need to explain), Pam (she's adorable, wants to get into art but Roy didn't care for her), Dwight (so sad when he got dumped by Angela) and more... even Angela.

But Jim.

He's just a smug lil kid. I find it hard for me to actually like him. I don't dislike him. He's just there.

IMHO, Jim is the glue that ties the entire thing together. You need normality to offset the other male characters.